Russell Westbrook Calls Paul George All-Star Snub ‘outrageous'

Russell Westbrook was named to the 2018 All-Star Recreation Tuesday, however he wasn’t pleased as a result of one among his teammates was snubbed.

Westbrook was mad Thunder ahead Paul George was left off the roster, whereas 4 gamers from the Warriors have been named to the All-Star crew. He advised ESPN that George being snubbed was “outrageous.”

“I do not know who else made the crew however acquired 4 folks from one crew, you have acquired guys complaining about getting snubbed till they get in, you have acquired guys simply speaking about it on a regular basis,” Westbrook mentioned. “However the guys that deserve it — must be in — are usually not. I simply do not perceive. Would not make any sense.”

The guard was referring to Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Inexperienced, who all made the crew from Golden State. He additionally hinted at Path Blazers guard Damian Lillard being named to the All-Star crew after complaining about not making it in earlier years.

George has been strong for the Thunder in his first season in Oklahoma Metropolis and Westbrook feels he has the stats that warrant an All-Star recreation look.

“Man leads the league in steals, competes each evening, prime two at his place. Do not make any sense, no matter the rest,” Westbrook mentioned. “For those who’re going by All-Stars, there are particular All-Stars on this league. All people’s not an All-Star. Simply since you get voted in does not imply you are an All-Star. I simply assume it is outrageous. However you already know, it’s what it’s.”

Regardless of being left off the roster, George appeared to look on the brilliant facet of issues when chatting with ESPN following the Thunder’s 109-108 win in opposition to the Nets Tuesday. George scored 28 factors and grabbed 9 rebounds within the win.

“It wasn’t going to place me in a funk or trigger me to be in a misplaced place or a sunken place,” George mentioned. “I did not make All-Star. It’s what it’s. I’ve acquired an extended break in between the season now.”

The ahead mentioned he got here to the Thunder with “greater goals and larger targets” like successful a championship. It appears to be like like that shall be what George now focuses on as a substitute of not taking part in on this 12 months’s All-Star recreation.

George has been named to the All-Star crew 4 instances earlier than, in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. This would be the first one he is missed since he needed to sit out for many of the 2014-2015 season after struggling a proper leg fracture whereas working towards for the U.S. nationwide crew.